Heard it through the grapevine....

Cue the California Grapes..... (replace with New Jersey)

I'm a big supporter of wine, and in a non-discriminatory kind of way. Red, White, Dessert, chilled, mulled, you get the picture! But I've never actually been to a vineyard to see where these little grapes are born. This June, I was finally able to check that off my list at Beneduce Vineyards . A relatively new vineyard in New Jersey which you can come for a tasting, a tractor tour, or bring your friends, food, watch live music, and drink the wine they produce on site. They also have food trucks too, if you're not in the mood to BYOF :) Again, everyone who worked there was so hospitable it was like you're in your own backyard....if only mine looked like that! 

My Favs: Shotgun Red, Tuxedo, and the Dry Riesling 

Next door to the vineyard is an airport, where afterwards we took a hot air ballon ride! What a perfect day! :)

UP...UP...AND AWAY!!!

It was my birthday weekend, and I had no idea the surprise I was in for, with a day of distractions in Frenchtown and Vineyards, I had no clue of the final destination. I'm putting the clues together as we're walking around the airport, but when I turned the corner to see the air balloon truck, my emotions hit, and I was so elated. The team at ALEXANDRIA BALLOON FLIGHTS  were so amazing! We arrived early, and got to know the pilots and ground crew, and within minutes, we were all family:) 

We hitched out to get the balloon set up, holding the ropes while the huge fan filled the balloon (that was a workout in itself!) Janine and I popped into the balloon for a quick pic....very reminiscent of grade school days with the parachute! Once it was fired-up we jumped in the basket with our pilot, and off we went. I have to say, I was slightly nervous with thinking only only a basket would be under me..."what am I, Toto?! Where's Dorothy?!" But it was smooth sailing, and so relaxing, floating into the horizon. 

We set off around 6ish, and had the most amazing view of the sun hitting the water and trees. The hidden treasures, farms, lakes, swamps you could never appreciate except from an aerial view were amazing. In our counter-balloon, there was a couple getting engaged 1500ft in the air! The guy had a small plane flying a banner around the balloon for the proposal.....and she said yes! :) 

The wind that day took us by surprise, leading us into Pennsylvania, but our Kevin said it one of the best views with going over the river. Landing was a tricky one since most of the ground around us was forest, but we finally found a location (in someone's backyard) right as the sun was setting. The ground crew (which in the balloon felt very Twister the movie) chasing us in the truck, while calling our pilot for directions from above. We packed the balloon up and headed back to the airport with great conversation from such an amazing team. 

All Is Full of Love at the MOMA...

...and it's all because of Bjork! =) I finally had the chance to see the exhibit, (I became a member to skip the lines...and in case I wanted to see the exhibit again), and I was blown away! I've heard mixed reviews, but I think going into the exhibit, you need to know who Bjork is, or at least know of her eccentricity.   Although I'm not fanatic, I mostly love Bjork for her originality and keeping true to herself, which is one of the toughest aspect of being a commercial artist. But even when it's over the top, I can still appreciate what she's putting out there....because no one else would have the balls to, or to execute it in a eloquent fashion in which she does =)

The exhibit is totally interactive, so bring your ears and eyes. My favorite part being, Black Swan, where you're ushered into a soundproof, cavernous room with two large flat screens and surrounded by 49 speakers. As the video begins, the dual screens are in sync, but then each taking their own route. This is where you're encouraged to walk around the room, visiting the speakers on the walls, becoming introduced to each musical composition of the video. I couldn't decide which I liked better...the strings or the oddly, weird background percussion....and I still can't decide!

Next were escorted to a large viewing room with plush, red multi-leveled boxed sofas showcasing all of Bjork's music videos (some of which I never seen!)... I could have spent hours in there...in fact, the way some people were laying down, I wouldn't be surprised if that's how they spent Saturday:) 

For the 3rd floor exhibit, I recommend getting tickets when you arrive. Running every 15, this is the journey of the life of a girl-a girl named Bjork. Headphones...check....and cue the music! Room by room-it's starts with her beginnings in Iceland with each room themed, reflecting her albums. The music and narration hold hand-in-hand as you observe her writing, evolving into lyrics, and costuming she wore for performances.

The journey is astounding, and while dancing to the few music breaks within the narration, I realize what it must feel to attend a silent rave as I'm dancing in my seat. I wonder which part my neighbor is listening to..I guess it's a secret...which I'm sure is what Bjork wanted...an intimate exhibit of her lifetime's work-with the personalization of the viewer.... Everyone has their own interpretation and take-aways from the exhibit, reflecting their own journey...which I'm sure reflects why Bjork has reached such an impactful fanbase in her career. <3

Don't Eat the Bean!!!...Chicago Pt.3

Actually, NOT a bean, this is called the CLOUD GATE-by British artist Anish Kapoor.

It's size and beauty says it all, with its interaction bending and warping the space and light surrounding you. I could spend hours encircling this piece, in which 80 percent of its surface reflects the sky.  When walking through, you become a Where's Waldo in which location can fold within the reflection.

The Pavilion,  designed by Frank Gehry, will equally leave you breathless. I'm not one for modern design, but futurism always makes me look twice and give appreciation to space and form.

Amongst other food related findings in Chicago, (these actually being edible), are all the amazing places there are to eat in this wonderful city=) First up, AVEC, which-yes-I would fly back to Chicago just to eat here.....and yes-the 1.5 hour wait was well worth it! Very clean and minimal wood decor, the scene was younger, hip, and trendy. Here's what we ate...

chorizo-stuffed medjool dates with bacon and piquillo pepper-tomato sauce

chicken liver crostini with fall fruit mostarda, parsley, mint and red onion

butcher’s steak with squash romesco, raddichio,saba and pepitas

slow roasted pork shoulder with vadouvan curried lentils, roasted brussels sprouts, apricots and apples

wood oven paella with confit chicken,snail boudin, clams and tangerine aioli

parmesan pound cake with roasted apples and candied pine nuts

Next up, was North Pond for brunch, located in Lincoln Park. A more classier side to Chicago, with highly prepped plates of beautiful presentation. I had the following...

Duck, Arugula: Cinnamon-Braised Duck, Warm Pita, Red Beets, Herbed Yogurt, Baby Arugula, Mint, Green Olive, Pignolis

Beef, Broccoli: Charred Flatiron Steak, Baby Parsnips, Broccoli-Pomegranate “Salad”, Gingerbread-Stout Cake, Beef Jus

Apple, Cranberry : Caramel Apple Tart, Rosemary-Pumpkin Seed Streusel, Cranberry Sorbet, Toasted Marshmallow 

(also pictured)

Pear, Gingerbread: Brown-Butter Sage Financier, Roasted Pear Mousse, Cinnamon, Gingerbread Ice Cream, Sauteed Pears

Also in Lincoln Park, theres a wonderful French pastry shop called, VANILLE PATISSERIE.

We went for the LISA, which had Peanut Butter Mousse, Banana Cremeux, Pretzel Crisp, Chocolate Flourless Cake, and Peanut Butter Glaze.

Also, for some amazing donuts, check out GLAZED AND INFUSED . 

Maple Bacon Long John: Bar of golden goodness layered with real maple glaze and candied bacon

Caramel Pumpkin Pecan: Yeast bismark with pumpkin mousse filling, caramel topping and sprinkled with toasted pecans

Portillo's Hot Dogs...the one and only Chicago Dog.

And last...but not least. Chicago Deep Dish at LOU MALNATI'S.

Just beyond the river bend...Chicago Pt.2

Another must-do while in the Windy City is to take the Chicago Architecture River Tour. With amazing views, this is a great way to see the city and cover a fair amount of ground in the process.

After the river tour, we walked down to the Navy Pier, and caught a better glimpse of the city from high above.

Can you paint with all the colors of Chicago??

Crossing another city off my bucket list....CHICAGO!!! And what a better time to go than in the Fall. With the beautiful urban design of the city, it really allows the change of season to blend through. And it all began at the airport. Feeling as though I was trapped in a Pantone crayon box, which to say.... was a palette cleanser from the usual LaGuardia greys and browns.

The first day, we hit up the greenhouse and zoo in Lincoln Park with remarkable views of the city...

The zoo....

Giraffe hearts =)

When Food & Sex Collide

It's all fun and games...and cooking, until someone throws in the sex. But wait, with all the food prep, and sharp objects, it's this dangerous?!!! Well thank god "Sex on the Table" is only an expression. Ran by Chef Fed, a contestant of Chopped, the focus of the class evolves around aphrodisiac foods, such as red wine, strawberries, grapefruit, and mangos. We were taught several knife skills, pairings, and plate presentation. And my favorite part of cooking, besides the eating, is the great company in which it accompanies.

CHEF FED

Prepping the Fennel

Grilled Chicken with Quinoa and a Mango Cilantro Salsa 

Bread Pudding with Strawberries and Fresh Whipped Cream